ibook 12" or 14"

I have been doing research for the past three months, monitoring my computer use, and watching new releases for Apple. I am finally ready to purchase a new laptop but need a few more details from you all.

Looking at the 12" ibook. But would consider strong arguments for the 14" ib or perhaps a pb.

*** Big kicker here. My wife has a Dell laptop she uses for work. Since we will go wireless with the purchase of the apple laptop, are there any compatibility issues that I should consider between teh two computers - going with Apple airport or buying something like D-link wireless router?***

Looking at the 12" ibook. But would consider strong arguments for the 14" ib or perhaps a pb.

Needs: <snip>

*** Big kicker here. My wife has a Dell laptop she uses for work. Since we will go wireless with the purchase of the apple laptop, are there any compatibility issues that I should consider between teh two computers - going with Apple airport or buying something like D-link wireless router?***

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I highly doubt compatibility issues w/ using the D-link router-- I use a linksys router w/out any problems and when I'm out and about, my AE has no problems picking up others' wireless networks.

As for your choice, the 12" iBook seems perfect for your needs. The 12" PB would be overkill and the 14" iBook is only really needed if you NEED an all-in-one package including a DVD burner or if your eyes feel better looking at the 1024 resolution over 14" versus the same resolution on the smaller 12" screen.

Staff Member

Since we will go wireless with the purchase of the apple laptop, are there any compatibility issues that I should consider between teh two computers - going with Apple airport or buying something like D-link wireless router?

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The D-link will definitely work. I use a Westell router that was provided by Verizon with my DSL service. My iBook, my old Toshiba laptop, and a PC desktop using a D-link adapter all hook up to the WAP effortlessly.

The main thing you might gain by going with the Airport Extreme, is range, and range extension using Airport Express. WDS, which is the protocol that allows the Express to act as a local range extender is not implemented on many of the non-Apple WiFi WAPs out there, this has been one of the reasons I keep considering switching to an AirPort Extreme.

Note also that I have the 14" iBook from the last rev. There are only two reasons to go for it over the 12".

1) SuperDrive (which I didn't get). You can always move data off onto an external drive and burn it on another box.
2) The larger screen. It helps if you want to use the box for shared displays, where more than one person may want to be watching a DVD, movie or an iPhoto slideshow at a time.

I hate to say it, but i love the 14" over the pb for writing and my all round desktop computer.

As for portability, the 12 wins hands down. It is so small and yet does so much.

but I do notice that during interviews -- I am a writer -- I can't easily access the screen while other people are talking etc. I need the 14" and will be taking it on a business trip next week instead of the 12 inch.

But the pb is somehow remaining in its box. If I was into video editing or some more intensive tasks or gaming, I guess I would use it more. I think I am going to have to sell it; even though the screen has better res than the ibooks, it's just sitting around.

I guess the 14" ibook is the all around winner, for me. But if you are under 25 with 20/20 vision? Go for the 12 iBook.

If you've been looking through the threads you will also see that wireless reception on the iBook is far superior to that of the Powerbooks - it looks as though that beautiful, fragile aluminium case also shags the reception - the plastic case on the iBook, which besides looking more 'Apple', being stronger and more rugged, less able to transmit lap-burning heat through the casing and generally cooler stylewise, also impedes wireless reception much less than on the Powerbooks.

When you've made the right choice and bought the iBook, any time you yearn for the Powerbook, wrap your iBook in aluminium foil, matt side out, to emulate the look and total your wireless reception in much the same manner as the real thing!

When you've made the right choice and bought the iBook, any time you yearn for the Powerbook, wrap your iBook in aluminium foil, matt side out, to emulate the look ...

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One never knows -- maybe that is the creative way for some to satisfy their inner desire for a PB without paying extra for it. The real trendy combo may be one iBook coupled with one box of Reynolds aluminum foil.

One never knows -- maybe that is the creative way for some to satisfy their inner desire for a PB without paying extra for it. The real trendy combo may be one iBook coupled with one box of Reynolds aluminum foil.

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